Warehouse and distribution center managers can maximize load sizes and reduce freight costs by reducing the number of loads required to fill orders using the Robocom Systems International R-Load Optimizer, an outbound load optimization planning tool.

Robocom Systems International released R-Load Optimizer, an outbound load optimization planning tool designed to help warehouse and distribution center managers maximize load sizes and reduce freight costs by reducing the number of loads required to fill orders.

"Robocom continues to be keenly focused on the needs of the business leaders responsible for the day-to-day results in warehousing and distribution center operations," said Fred Radcliffe, Robocom president. "R-Load Optimizer is a tool that the operating managers can use to help deliver the cost savings that are being demanded of them in today's tough economic environment. Today's announcement is the result of many months of focused work with a number of key Robocom customers to define, build, test and implement a leading-edge load optimization solution."

In R-Load Optimizer, customer orders available to be shipped are downloaded from SAP or any other ERP system to Robocom's Warehouse Management System (WMS). R-Load Optimizer connects to this open order file and provides the outbound load planner the tools to select a trailer configuration (weight and cube capacity), sort open orders by lanes, regions, default route codes, required ship dates or other criteria, then click on individual orders to move them in or out of the load being planned.

The planner may change trailer configuration, reset the load and stop sequences as well as the plan for stacking of pallets. The R-Load Optimizer displays a running total of weight and cube required by the orders currently in the trailer and weight and cube remaining to be used.

Once a load has been accepted by the outbound load planner, the configuration is sent to the WMS and processed for execution on the warehouse floor to ensure that orders are picked and loaded exactly as planned.

• Warehouse operations staff appreciates the fact that loads are pre-planned, pre-sequenced and "fit" in the required trailer;

• The plan created by the R-Load Optimizer module eliminates headaches on the loading dock and speeds the picking and loading process; and

• Maximum trailer weight is not exceeded eliminating reloads after scales or fines for over-weight trailers.

"Our customers are realizing substantial cost savings and improving customer service. We are excited about bringing this new capability to the market and continue to believe that we have one of the best development teams in the supply chain execution software industry," Radcliffe said in the June 1 announcement.

Annual Salary Survey

Before the calendar turned, 2016 already had the makings of a pivotal year for manufacturing, and for the world.

There were the big events for the year, including the United States as Partner Country at Hannover Messe in April and the 2016 International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago in September. There's also the matter of the U.S. presidential elections in November, which promise to shape policy in manufacturing for years to come.

But the year started with global economic turmoil, as a slowdown in Chinese manufacturing triggered a worldwide stock hiccup that sent values plummeting. The continued plunge in world oil prices has resulted in a slowdown in exploration and, by extension, the manufacture of exploration equipment.